Camping with Joe...http://campingwithjoe.net
adventures in being a dad...Mon, 12 May 2014 03:03:26 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5CampingWithJoehttps://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with WikioSubscribe with Daily RotationThere’s a Wolf in my tent…http://campingwithjoe.net/theres-a-wolf-in-my-tent/
http://campingwithjoe.net/theres-a-wolf-in-my-tent/#commentsMon, 12 May 2014 02:53:51 +0000Joe's Dadhttp://campingwithjoe.net/?p=524This Saturday, we went for a quick overnight camping trip to Camp Currier, a Boy Scout camp located in Eudora, MS and operated by the Chickasaw Council. Currier was established by the Council in the 1920s and we went there this weekend to take part in Joe’s Cub Scout “pack” graduation ceremony, when each rank advances to the next level.

Joe transitioned from a Tiger Cub to a Wolf, where he’ll remain throughout the next year. It was pretty special for us to get to watch him and his friends advance to the next level and with any luck, they’ll stick together over the next four years as they cross the line into to the Boy Scouts. It’s been interesting to watch each of them grow as individuals and as a “den” throughout the year. It’s also been great to meet other parents, the older boys, and the “leaders of the pack”, who put a lot of time and energy into providing a good program for the boys.

Our trip to Currier brought back memories for me, as I was there as a Boy Scout in the late 1980′s and early 90′s. I remember thinking to myself the first time I rode to Currier with my troop, how far away it seemed (only about an hour back then, 20 minutes today). But then I had such a good time while I was there, I didn’t want to go back home when it was time to leave.

So, it was nice to get to be there with Joe’s for his first time at Currier. It was a short first time though , too short—less than 18 hours from the time we pitched the tent to the time we pulled in to the driveway back home, just in time for Mother’s Day. But it was good to get back out under the stars for a few hours, while we left the rest of the world—and it’s worries—far behind.

See you on the trail…

Joe and Mom – a Happy Mother’s Day weekend, indeed…

Getting advancements during the pack meeting…

Puleeaaaaazzzze – just a few more minutes?!?!?!?!?!

Digging in the “mine”….

]]>http://campingwithjoe.net/theres-a-wolf-in-my-tent/feed/0BP MS 150 – Ride for a Cure…http://campingwithjoe.net/510/
http://campingwithjoe.net/510/#commentsMon, 05 May 2014 03:00:38 +0000Joe's Dadhttp://campingwithjoe.net/?p=510I have some camping posts in the pipe, but realized I had not written about the results of the BP MS 150 fundraiser and epic bike ride I was involved with in April, so I will share bits of an email I sent following my return—pictures are at the end!

First, thank you for your support of my fundraising effort for the BP MS 150 event this past weekend in Texas. In less than 10 days you helped me raise just over $2,600 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This is an amazing thing, and each dollar you sent will directly benefit research towards a world free of MS. I’m so grateful for your support.

Second, I received many well wishes during the ride and appreciate that very much; your encouragement kept me going during the entire weekend. The ride is 48 hours of running on empty, so your words helped fuel me — along with more carbs than one should possibly ingest over three days.

There were over 13,000 cyclists who participated and 3,000 + volunteers who put it all together. We went from Houston on Saturday morning (starting just before 5AM) to LaGrange, Texas late that afternoon. Sunday, we took LaGrange west to Austin, where we finished just after 5PM.

Texas was beautiful and picturesque during the two days and the weather really could not have been better. The only challenge came when an impending storm put a temporary damper on things on Day 2, but it cleared up and everyone got to cross the finish line without being rained on too bad.

There were at least three very bad accidents involving the cyclists and several of them had to be medi-vac’d out to hospitals as a result of the accidents. The emergency medical teams and law enforcement did an amazing job handling these very real situations. It is sobering to see a bike coming at you after their rider has been taken away in an ambulance or helicopter.

MOST of the rest of the cyclists completed the ride, but many had to be helped by my Special Assistance Group (SAG) team, about 100 people strong. I received lots of thanks and praise from riders for ALL SAG team members, which is a great feeling. I even met one rider in the airport home who recognized me as a SAG and thanked me for the SAGs who tirelessly supported the riders and ensured their needs were met. The SAG team included:

SAG1, Susan and Stephen Shirk. They are 20 + year SAG leaders who make order out of mass chaos. They are exceptional at what they do and go to GREAT lengths to support their ranks and keep us going.

SAG2, Randy May. Another 20 + year SAG veteran who needs no megaphone and jumps in with both feet when an escalated situation arises. He is the “Wolf” of the SAG team, for you Pulp Fiction fans. Randy taught me a few things this weekend that I will not soon forget.

SAG Lunch Crew, Chuck & Ray. They organize the riders who need lifts during the lunch stops. It is a difficult task to say the least — they did great this year with an impending storm on Day 2.

10 box trucks + school buses who provided transportation of riders and their bikes between break points (mine was Box Truck 7)

Riding shotgun with my dad, I was the “navigator” for our Box/Bus combo. Driving and navigating with a never ending line of cyclists and oncoming traffic is a challenging task, but we did it, and we managed not to run over a single rider! This is our second year as a team, and I look forward to more while we have the opportunity left to do it. I’m hopeful Joe will join us one day when he is a little older—I’d like for him to experience it firsthand.

I cannot say thank you enough to all the friends and family who donated to this cause, provided words of encouragement, and sent their positive thoughts my way during the ride. I’m honored and so grateful to have had your support. Remember:

“No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up EACH day and be THANKFUL for it. Someone, somewhere else, is fighting just to SURVIVE…”

WE —yes, WE— made a big difference this weekend in the lives of people who are fighting just to survive. WE are giving them a fighting chance.That is a good feeling isn’t it?

See you on the trail…

Day 1, just starting out past Houston with a few riders and partly cloudy skies…

Passed out on the steps at the Knights of Columbus in LaGrange after eating way too much for dinner on Day 1.

Day 2 started out with a very bad bike accident; there were about two-thousand riders backed up. One of the injuries required a life-flight to the hospital.

Here is the bike and camel-bak that belonged to the person that was life-flighted out of LaGrange. My Box Truck carried it the rest of the way.

The Man. The Myth. The Unicyclist.

My dad and I unloading bikes near the finish line. We stopped about a mile away so everyone that wanted to finish, COULD.

This is the “Conga Line”. Only after all cyclists have gone through do the SAGs get to cross the finish line. The first in and last out. The people who stay to cheer us on after most everyone else has left are SO appreciated.

The lady on the left is a top 100 fundraiser. She has raised nearly $75,000 in the last six years. She rides the MS 150 and HAS Multiple Sclerosis.

My favorite part about camping with my grandfather was when we went to the Mather lodge and ate breakfast. But mostly I loved when my shoe got wet.

Joe

Just about the spot where the shoe got wet. We didn’t actually go in there. But we thought about it!

]]>http://campingwithjoe.net/the-wet-shoe/feed/0The fight against Multiple Sclerosis. I need your help…http://campingwithjoe.net/the-fight-against-multiple-sclerosis-i-need-your-help/
http://campingwithjoe.net/the-fight-against-multiple-sclerosis-i-need-your-help/#commentsWed, 02 Apr 2014 05:01:25 +0000Joe's Dadhttp://campingwithjoe.net/?p=477“No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up EACH day and be THANKFUL for it. Someone, somewhere else, is fighting just to SURVIVE…”

When I was a kid, I used to sell books door-to-door to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research because one of my mother’s best friends, Sharon, had MS. Sharon has struggled with MS for many decades; every day is filled with pain, limited mobility, and uncertainty for her and her family. There are hundreds of thousands of Americans just like her.

In 10 days, I’m heading to Texas to volunteer in the 30th Annual BP MS 150 fundraiser. The MS 150 is the largest Multiple Sclerosis (MS) fundraising event in the world and in 2013, more than 13,000 cyclists (many of whom have MS) and 3,000 volunteers participated in the 180 mile bike ride from Houston to Austin. They raised more than $18,000,000 for MS research, program support, and individual assistance.

Seeing 16,000 people join together and push the limits of human endurance for a single cause is such an inspiring sight that words cannot do it justice.

For the second year in a row, I’m volunteering as a part of the “Special Assistance Group”. SAG volunteers operate support trucks, vans, and buses to transport cyclists and their bikes when they are unable to ride due to injury or fatigue – a 180 mile bike ride is no walk in the park. As one SAG leader put it, we are the Marines of the MS 150; the first in and the last out. SAGs don’t stop until the very last rider has crossed the finish line. Then and only then do we get to cross the finish line.

No rider will be left behind as long as there is a SAG team member alive to support them…

When I joined my dad as a SAG driver for the first time in 2013, it was to fulfill a personal challenge and spend time with him. Turns out, it was one of the most rewarding (albeit exhausting!) 72 hours of my life. By volunteering, I helped the National MS Society further their own cause to help thousands of individuals who have MS.

Many SAG veterans have been volunteering for decades. This year I’m heading back to do it again in SAG Box Truck #7. It’s an honor to be part of this team. One day, I want to get Joe involved when he is old enough to volunteer.

Like other diseases, it costs a lot of money to fight MS. Even few dollars will go a long way towards helping someone with MS. For every dollar donated, 78 cents goes directly to programs, services and research to benefit people with MS.

It also costs money for my SAG team to be there supporting the riders during the MS 150. Think about it, the cost of trucks, vans, fuel, buses, lodging, food, radios, manuals, and the list goes on. And a lot of us SAG Volunteers pay to play. I’m personally spending hundreds of dollars in airfare and lodging, taking vacation time from work, and spending time away from my family to do this.

Riders in the MS 150 are asked to raise at least $400 to participate in the event. On average, they raise $1,250. While volunteers aren’t required to raise money, I want to double what the average rider raises – and do it in 10 days. Can it be done? Can a SAG volunteer actually raise $2,500? Only with your help.

Remember that quote at the top of this post? It came from one of the 2013 SAG support vans.

“No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up each day and be THANKFUL FOR it. Someone, somewhere else, is fighting just to SURVIVE…”

Imagine someone who has just pedaled her 125th mile after sleeping the night in a tent in the middle of Texas. Those words help her pedal to the 126th, and ultimately to the 180th mile. The SAG Team helps get them there, sometimes with a hand up, sometimes with a hug, and always with a smile. Your donation helps the National MS Society defray the costs of my participation, meaning more money can be put to good use fighting and one day curing Multiple Sclerosis.

Think about that for a minute as you consider donating. Even if it’s $1.00. Every dollar you send helps someone who is fighting just to survive. Like my mom’s friend Sharon. Sharon is real, and there are lots of folks like her that need our help. Here’s another quote for you, a favorite of my grandfather’s, who stole it from his close friend and Rabbi, Micah Greenstein:

“If you look out your window and don’t see someone in need, you aren’t looking hard enough….”

Help me reach my goal. Sponsor me and SAG Box Truck #7 for the biggest bike ride of its kind in North America. I want to see your name in my fundraising honor roll. Or, you can donate anonymously.

Look, I know you are busy. I only ask for another two minutes of your time.

All donations go directly to the National MS Society and are tax deductible and a receipt for your records will be sent after you make your donation.

]]>http://campingwithjoe.net/the-fight-against-multiple-sclerosis-i-need-your-help/feed/1The curious case of the confounding crick…http://campingwithjoe.net/the-curious-case-of-the-confounding-crick/
http://campingwithjoe.net/the-curious-case-of-the-confounding-crick/#commentsSat, 29 Mar 2014 03:47:51 +0000Joe's Dadhttp://campingwithjoe.net/?p=454Earlier this month, my dad met Joe and I for our third-annual spring camping trip to Petit Jean State Park in central Arkansas. Joe’s mom was nursing a sinus infection and starting a new job (woot!) the following Monday, so she decided to let the boys fly solo this time around. As it turned out, this was probably for the best.

All’s well that begins well, right?

Joe and I had a leisurely drive over to Petit Jean and after checking in, we went straight to Rock House Cave to make sure everything was as we’d left it since our 2013 trip. After Rock House, we quickly set up camp, gathered some kindling and had ourselves some canned goods for dinner. Before bedding down for the night, we managed to build a nice little fire without too much effort. My dad was running late, so it looked like we would spend our first night sans Pops, which was disappointing, but not a big deal. So far, so good.

But at approximately 2:43(AM!) I was awakened by an anything but good and totally blood-curdling, scream. Still half asleep, I quickly realized that the scream was emanating less than 18 inches from my head — by my own flesh and blood.

I immediately scanned the tent for a misplaced skunk, curious raccoon, or slobbering grizzly bear, but there were none to be found. We were alone. Chilly, but alone. Upon further investigation it turned out the real reason behind the carrying on was a confounding crick in Joe’s neck. He had fallen asleep in a terribly awkward position and when he tried to move from it, his neck just flat refused to do anything but stay stuck. As someone who has long suffered from various neck ailments and occasional cricks, I speak from experience when I say: Those dudes ain’t no kind of fun.

Wanting more to get back to sleep than to deal with reality, I mistakenly tried to sooth Joe back to sleep with half-empty words of comfort (bad parent, bad!). Soon enough though, it was evident this was no ordinary crick. My little buddy started hollering so loud that if they’d gotten within earshot, any of the aforementioned creatures would have been quickly relieved of the hair off their hides. I know almost was.

Anyway, at about 2:48(AM!), we put some layers on and trudged off to the bathhouse, an appreciably warmer respite during a DEFCON 4 emergency in the woods. So for the next hour, Joe and I tried various ways of working the crick out or finding a comfortable sitting position on the bench, all to no avail. It seemed that even looking at his neck caused it to hurt or him to holler, and all the while, I could easily see how this was turning into one of those, “if it don’t kill ya’…” moments. Having been on the receiving end of several of those experiences in my life (cue frogs playing tiny violins), I decided I needed to put my very best parenting “skillz” to work, and put them to work fast.

After a brief sales pitch/bribe session/conversation with God asking for a miracle forty-five minute discussion,I finally managed to convince Joe that the only thing that would bring him any relief would be for us walk through the woods in the dark, lie down in our cold tent, on the cold ground, in a cold sleeping bag, with the same sorry-excuse-for-a-pillow that caused the confounding-crick in the first place. Like I said: Parenting. Skillz.

Once we finally got all “snuggled” back in at the campsite, we did actually manage to drift back to sleep until about 6:30(AM!). After getting up and moving about, Joe reported he was feeling a little better than he was at o-dark-thirty, but when I saw his range of motion was only about 25% of normal, I began mentally preparing myself to start packing it in and making the long trek back to Mississippi. Yet to my complete surprise, the first things Joe asked about after I got the fire going again was what time would Pops arrive and when could we hike to down to Cedar Falls?!?!?!

I almost strained my own neck as I did a double take at his questions, but managed to keep a semi-straight face and answered, “In about an hour, and how about after lunch?”.

True to form and consistent as ever, Pops arrived on the mountain about 16 hours later than originally planned; although we did manage to have breakfast together at the lodge around 9:30(AM!). Joe was still feeling fairly miserable (to put it mildly) during our breakfast, but after a couple hours of moving around, his neck, and thereby his mood, started improving rapidly.

We spent the rest of the day hanging with Pops, setting up tents and enjoying our ENO’s, exploring a secret (and sacred) Native American rock shelter, and hiking to Cedar Falls. More on those activities later, but two weeks after our trip concluded, I’m still amazed at Joe’s resilience and willingness to hang in there for the remainder of the trip, especially with the pain he was in. He showed a lot of grit for a 7 year old, much more than I would have at his age – and definitely more than I would at this age!

Before calling a wrap on the day, Pops, Joe, and I traveled down the mountain to get some glow sticks, an extra ration of Vienna sausage, and you’ll be happy to know, a much better pillow for my little trooper.

See you on the trail…

On the road less traveled with Pops…

Scenes like this never get old, they just get better…

On the way down to the falls, crick and sticks in tow…

All’s well that ends well, right?

]]>http://campingwithjoe.net/the-curious-case-of-the-confounding-crick/feed/0A Hike in the Snow…http://campingwithjoe.net/a-hike-in-the-snow/
http://campingwithjoe.net/a-hike-in-the-snow/#commentsSat, 11 Jan 2014 04:06:36 +0000Joe's Dadhttp://campingwithjoe.net/?p=434It’s 2014, and high time to catch up on some posts. A conversation today inspired this one, written with just a dash of my world famous sarcism and dedicated to my Dear Ole Dad. Happy New Year!

=========================================================

While cleaning out some boxes at my grandmother’s house several years ago, I came upon some photographs my father had taken during my childhood. He had them organized into envelopes, each with a title and date. I went through them until I came to the last one:

A Hike in the Snow, January 1987.

This was the one I had been looking for. It happened so long ago, it seemed like one of those bad dreams that just.wouldn’t.stay.away. But finally I had the proof.

Proof of the snow. Proof of us trying to cross that stupid icy log. Proof that I DID fall into that freezing creek. Proof of the agony. Proof of the abuse, I tell you!

Friends, I lived to tell about it only because my sister had the presence of mind and the cat like reflexes to scoop me up out of the water quick as lightning (thanks, Allison!). If only they had blogs back then. I’d have written a doozy I tell ya’.

Wait just a second. Why all this negativity so early in the year? The past is the past, right?

I guess nearly 30 years of repression may have just a little to do with the tone of this post. Have I been a little too selective in my memories of that escapade down Cedar Falls Trail? Should I ever let go of this heinous crime committed against me in the name of “family bonding” time? Yes, it is a new year after all, so maybe I should think it over for a minute. You know, let bygones be bygones right?

NOT!!!!!!!!!! I’m gonna ride this train all the way off the tracks and if you’ve read this far and think I’ve fallen off my own tracks, here’s the proof I mentioned above. Make sure you read the captions!

After setting up our big tent (which I’ve renamed “Monster”) in the afternoon, we went to a birthday party and then swimming at the Y.

Following dinner Joe, Nitro, and I went outside for the evening and made pretend bow and arrows, watched bats dive for bugs, and chased a few lightning bugs around. We also went for a walk down to the stop sign and back on what Joe dubbed the “Appalachian Trail”. We did a thru-hike in case you were wondering.

On the trail, we talked about how we would fit everything (yep, everything) from our house into our backpacks, what we would eat, where we would sleep and how we might avoid bears (Joe decided the best way would be to become invisible), and of course, Que Horrifico from Scooby Doo.

After our .33 mile walk on the AT, we had some popsicles and hung out in the backyard looking at stars. When it was time for bed, Mom, Joe, and I slept under the full moon, finally rising at about 8AM. It was a quiet, peaceful night, with perfect camping temperatures.

Before breakfast, we started a small fire and made some coffee and hot chocolate, bringing our first Great American Backyard Campout to a close. You can look at pictures from other campouts on their official Flickr page. From the photos, it looks like there was alot of good times shared with families across the Nation on Saturday night. Next year, we may try to organize a neighborhood campout. We hope you’ll join us!

This Saturday, June 22, 2013 is the “Great American Backyard Campout” organized by the National Wildlife Federation. The idea for the Campout is simple: on Saturday (or another night that is better for you), pitch a tent in the backyard, or setup your ENOs, and sleep out under the stars with your kids.

Doing so gives you an opportunity to spend time doing something different together, unplugged from Kindles, TVs, laptops, iPhones, and all the other “screens” that now occupy the majority of our time these days. According to the Campout website:

“The nature of childhood has changed. There’s not much nature in it. The American childhood has moved indoors during the last two decades, taking a mental and physical toll on today’s kids. But you can help change this trend. Think how good you’ll feel giving your children the benefits of spending more time outdoors, providing them with memories to last a lifetime…”

Otherwise, I encourage you to join thousands of others in this fun and FREE initiative. Your kids will thank you for it, and you’ll have a fun time too!

See you on the trail…

Last fall, Joe, Nitro and I spent an evening around our fire pit and in the new tent in our first backyard campout. We are looking forward to doing it again this weekend!

]]>http://campingwithjoe.net/great-american-backyard-campout-this-saturday/feed/3Parkin Archeological State Park, Oct. 2012 (or Happy Father’s Day 2013!)http://campingwithjoe.net/parkin-archeological-state-park-oct-2012-or-happy-fathers-day-2013/
http://campingwithjoe.net/parkin-archeological-state-park-oct-2012-or-happy-fathers-day-2013/#commentsSun, 16 Jun 2013 03:50:46 +0000Joe's Dadhttp://campingwithjoe.net/?p=396I was talking with a friend the other day about how I have several blog posts I’ve been meaning to write, and realized that I’d better do it soon, before best intentions become forgotten ones. The intent of my blog, after all, is to keep a record of camping and fun experiences with Joe, for Joe. So for Father’s Day this year, I’m picking up where we left off –father, son, and dog- in Arkansas.

On the drive back from our trip to Village Creek State Park, Joe, Nitro, and I stopped by Parkin Archaeological State Park. Parkin is located in northeast Arkansas, along the St. Francis River. While they don’t have camping there, they do have an informative museum and a short walking trail.

The park is located on what was once Sawdust Hill, a 20th century African-American community of timber and sawmill workers. As early as 1000 AD, it was a bustling Mississippian Native American village named Casqui, according to some archaeologists. Proximity to the river made this space a valuable piece of land, once upon a time. Today the Parkin site is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Along the walking trail we saw a giant Native American platform mound and read about how Hernando DeSoto and his crew (likely) stopped here to spread the Gospels in the 1540s. The Native Americans are presumed to have left the site by the 1550s.

We also looked at the old Sawdust Hill school house, built around 1910. Having been a school, a home, and a storage facility over the years, the schoolhouse was almost demolished before its original use was discovered several years ago. It has since been restored, providing park visitors with a glimpse of life in the segregated South in the 1900s.

Following our brief “hike”, we toured the museum and looked at old Native American artifacts. We also watched a film about the history of the region and Joe got to dress up like a “Keester Door” and shoot a blow-dart gun. After buying a few souvenirs and a drink for the road, and with work and school calling, the three amigos headed home.

See you on the trail..

Parkin Archeological State Park – Village Trail

On the boardwalk…

A 1500′s sermon on the mound? Archeologists think so…

What would life be like? In the year 1412. In the year 14-twelve….

Sawdust Hill Community School

Touring the museum…

Hey everybody, I’m a “Keester Door”…

]]>http://campingwithjoe.net/parkin-archeological-state-park-oct-2012-or-happy-fathers-day-2013/feed/0A foraging we will go….http://campingwithjoe.net/a-foraging-we-will-go/
http://campingwithjoe.net/a-foraging-we-will-go/#commentsSun, 30 Dec 2012 17:58:10 +0000Joe's Dadhttp://campingwithjoe.net/?p=370Well, I guess 2012 is just about over and done! When I started this little adventure log, I wanted to write at least one post a month. I’ve only missed September, so I’m pleased with that. I’m looking forward to 2013 – we already have several expeditions in mind, and I can’t wait to see what they hold in store for us.

For December, I thought I would write about our mushroom investigations during our “recent” trip to Village Creek State Park. While on our trip to Petit Jean, Joe was enamored with all the different varieties of mushrooms we found in the woods. My dad played the role of instructor, and taught Joe a few key do’s and don’ts to follow when looking at wild mushrooms.

Later, Pops sent Joe a Pocket Naturalist Guide to Mushrooms in the mail, which Joe studied and learned how to identify various mushroom species. To my surprise, while we were on the trails at Village Creek, he (correctly) identified several different species.

Rather going on a Jerry Garcia-esque trip, or trip to the emergency room, we decided to take pictures of each of Joe’s mushroom finds. When we got back home, we compared our pictures to the ones in the guidebook, and learned about which ones would have been poisonous, or edible.

The key thing we have learned about mushroom hunting is this: Unless you are really sure of the species, or are with an expert forager, leave the mushrooms be. Since we don’t really like mushrooms anyway, we were happy to let them live to see another day. Here are a few pics from our hunt. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

See you on the trail in 2013…

Setting out on the Big Ben trail…

Chanterelle (edible, we think!)

Witch’s Butter (not edible!)

Turkey Tail (not edible!)

Oyster Mushroom (edible, we think!)

Ice cream cone treat, for being a good little hiker (definitely edible!)